Hurricane Tracker Shows Simon and Rachel Leave Five Dead in Mexico
Hurricane Simon and Tropical Storm Rachel have caused at least five deaths and left multiple people missing in Mexico, while severe weather events including gales, heavy rain, flooding and transboundary haze are affecting several regions globally, according to the hurricane tracker.
Deaths and Damage from Hurricanes in Mexico
At least five people have died and several remain missing in Mexico from Hurricane Simon along the Pacific coast and Tropical Storm Rachel in Baja California, including an elderly man in Guerrero, a girl and four members of one family in Baja California. [4] An elderly man died in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific coast. [4] In the state of Baja California a girl died and ten others are missing. [4] The death toll from Rachel was later raised to four, with two minors and two adults from the same family dying in floods triggered by the weather. [4] Rachel had hurricane status but was later downgraded to tropical weather. [4] Deaths are linked to Hurricane Simon, which is moving along Mexico’s Pacific coast, and the tropical weather Rachel, which made landfall in Baja California further north after being downgraded from hurricane status. [4] Rachel has also affected the southwestern part of the United States. [4] Simon is now located around 90 kilometers southwest of Jalisco. [4] Waves from the remnants of what was Hurricane Rachel washed over beach homes and caused damage in Long Beach, California. [4]
Severe Weather Warnings Across Greece
Heavy rain, thunderstorms, gale-force winds up to 8-9 on the Beaufort scale and localized hail are forecast across Greece, primarily affecting coastal and island regions through Wednesday. [1] Heavy rain, thunderstorms and gale-force winds are expected to sweep across Greece on Tuesday and Wednesday. [1] The severe weather will primarily affect coastal and island regions, with localized hail expected. [1] Heavy rainfall will hit the Ionian Islands, western mainland, and western Peloponnese Tuesday morning, before shifting to Halkidiki, the Sporades, Magnesia, Evia, Attica, the Dodecanese, and Crete. [1] Prolonged, intense precipitation is forecast for the Sporades, Magnesia, and Evia through late Wednesday afternoon. [1] Gale-force northeasterly winds reaching 8 to 9 on the Beaufort scale will sweep across the northern and central Aegean Sea from Tuesday night through Wednesday evening. [1]
Transboundary Haze from Indonesian Fires Impacts Southeast Asia
Transboundary haze from intense wildfires in Indonesia has blanketed Malaysia and Singapore, causing respiratory issues, school closures, flight diversions and prompting Malaysia to raise the issue at an upcoming ASEAN meeting. [2] Forest and land fires that have raged for months in Indonesia have blanketed neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia in thick haze in recent weeks, causing a spike in respiratory conditions across the three countries and forcing school closures in parts of Malaysia, including the southern state of Johor. [2] The wildfires, mainly on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, are Indonesia’s most intense in 11 years. [2] Malaysia will raise the issue of transboundary haze at an Association of Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministers’ meeting in Manila next month. [2] Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said the haze issue required special attention because it is not covered by existing ASEAN mechanisms for natural disasters. [2] Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto ordered firefighting efforts to be stepped up, with operations focused on Central Kalimantan and South Sumatra provinces. [2]
Flight Disruptions and Safety Measures in Singapore
Sixteen flights were diverted from Singapore's Seletar Airport between Oct 5 and Oct 11 due to low visibility from haze, with additional safety measures implemented at airports. [3] Sixteen flights were diverted from Seletar Airport between Oct 5 and Oct 11 as part of precautionary measures taken during low visibility due to hazy conditions. [3] Some airlines have also chosen to adjust or cancel flights based on prevailing conditions. [3] Changi Airport and Seletar Airport remain operational. [3] Additional measures will be implemented at the airports if the haze situation worsens, including turning on airfield lights during the day to improve visibility and catering for greater separation between aircraft landings and take-offs. [3] Aviation companies and unions are closely monitoring PSI levels and taking necessary measures to protect outdoor workers. [3] This includes reminding personnel to remain vigilant, reviewing non-essential outdoor work activities and ensuring sufficient stocks of N95 masks for airport staff. [3] If the PSI exceeds 200, outdoor workers are also strongly encouraged to wear masks when working outdoors. [3]
Flood Warning in Florida
Minor flooding is occurring along the Shoal River near Crestview in Florida's Okaloosa County, with impacts including flooding of trailers and homes. [5] Minor flooding is forecast for the Shoal River near Crestview affecting Okaloosa County. [5] Minor flooding is occurring. [5] At 10.0 feet, some flooding of trailers north of the Okaloosa Correctional Institute occurs and water surrounds a home on Sowel Road. [5] The warning is in effect until Tuesday evening. [5]
Ongoing Regional Responses
Contextualize government actions including stepped-up firefighting in Indonesia and preparations in affected areas. [2] [4] Indonesia has between three to four airplanes and 34 helicopters, but they cannot take off because visibility is so poor that it is unsafe for any flights in the affected areas. [2] Malaysia’s Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Arthur Joseph Kurup said any proposed legislation to tackle transboundary haze must consider several factors, including its effectiveness, diplomatic implications, burden of proof, and enforceability. [2] Simon lies now around 90 kilometers southwest of Jalisco. [4] An elderly man died in Guerrero while a girl and ten persons are missing in Baja California. [4]
What to watch next: Prolonged intense precipitation is forecast for the Sporades, Magnesia, and Evia through late Wednesday afternoon while additional measures will be implemented at Singapore airports if the haze situation worsens.
